Colorado ski resorts celebrate the holidays in style

Though the snow has been a little spotty so far this ski and snowboard season, Santa Claus has plans to make an appearance at a few Colorado ski resorts.

The man himself was not available for an interview, though Colorado Daily reporters sent multiple handwritten letters to the North Pole (We assume they got lost in the pile of Christmas lists).

We've never seen it with our own eyes, but we hear the man in the red suit has been pulled over by ski patrollers at multiple resorts for reckless shredding and skiing only in his skivvies.

But you'll have to see him for yourself this Christmas, which you can do at a number of Colorado resorts. He's a busy man zipping from the San Juan Mountains up into the Front Range. We don't know how he does it, but will reveal our findings in a special investigative journalist series titled "Santa Claus: Man or Snowman."

Aspen

Head to Aspen's downtown for free ice skating, visits with Santa's reindeer, a pancake breakfast and holiday drink specials during the 12 Days of Aspen, Dec. 20-31. The festivities end on New Year's Eve with fireworks over Aspen Mountain.

At Snowmass, take part in the trail of light down the mountain (for kids 8 and older) on Dec. 27. Santa will also be making a stop at the Snowmass Base Village on Dec. 23 and 24 for photos while carolers and a barbershop quartet will stroll the area.

Copper

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Copper Mountain's En Fuego features snowcat parades, fireworks and rail jams. On Christmas Eve, check out a snowcat parade near a bonfire on the mountain, while street performers groove in Center Village. Santa has plans to ski down the mountain before taking off in the sky, sailing the Alpine Rush zipline to meet his reindeer.

"Santa's always been in the business of new toys for Christmas for children, and so ziplining became popular a couple years ago, and Santa needed to test it out himself," said Copper spokeswoman Austyn Williams.

On New Year's Eve, catch the USASA/X Games Rail Jam Qualifier after a day of skiing.

Crested Butte From Dec. 15-22, view dazzling ice sculptures created by the Rock on Ice teams. Two of the world's most renowned ice carvers will chip away at life-sized animals, holiday shapes and other iconic figures. An ice sculpture garden will take over the Courtyard at Mountaineer Square, or see daily carving demonstrations by the team.

On Christmas Eve, catch Santa himself sleigh down the mountain while being pulled by a snowcat before the Crested Butte Ski and Ride School performs its torchlight parade down the mountain's front side.

Arapahoe Basin

Rumor has it that the man in the big red suit will be skiing the Basin on Dec. 22 around 11 a.m., according to his elf spokesman (who wishes to remain anonymous).

"He's a skier," said spokeswoman Leigh Hierholzer about whether the big man would show up on skis or a snowboard. "He's really good. He's actually a professional with our patrollers."

When asked how Santa manages to stop at all the ski resorts and keep up his strength for delivering presents across the world, Hierholzer said: "It's magic. It's as simple as that."

Vail

This holiday season, check out Vail's Family Holidaze, which runs Dec. 16-31. Events include carolers, Skate with the Stars and other ice skating shows, concerts, a torchlight parade and fireworks. There will also be a family New Year's celebration.

World champion skater Todd Eldredge and national champion skater Ryan Bradley will perform in some of Vail's ice skating shows.

Eldora

If you've had too much ham and sugar cookies on Christmas day, head up the canyon to Eldora to see Santa himself. He'll also be making appearances this weekend, Dec. 22-23.

"Santa does it all," said Eldora spokesman Rob Linde. "I've seen him snowboard and I've seen him ski over the years. I think it depends on the mood he's in, whether he wants to hit the terrain park or if he wants to ski with the kids on the lower part of the mountain -- or ride the magic carpet."

And if you don't feel like cooking, Eldora will have special holiday menus for after your day of shredding.

Santa will also be visiting Powderhorn on Dec. 23 and 24 before heading to Loveland Ski Area for Dec. 24-25, and Monarch on Dec. 24.

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